Chennai: The Indian Navy has activated its full disaster response plan as Cyclone Fengal strengthens in the Bay of Bengal, threatening coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. The Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area, has implemented a comprehensive strategy to address the cyclone’s potential impact.

Prioritizing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, the Navy is working closely with local and civil authorities to ensure the rapid deployment of resources to mitigate the effects of the cyclone. Relief vehicles are currently being loaded with essential supplies, which include food, drinking water, and medicines. As part of the preparedness efforts, specialized Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are being deployed to vulnerable regions, while diving teams remain on high alert for emergency rescue operations.

The impending impact of Cyclone Fengal is significant, as it is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours, potentially bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to the Tamil Nadu coast. In response to the threat, authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.

In accordance with the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) cyclone preparedness guidelines, the Indian Navy is ensuring that evacuation plans, shelters, and emergency supplies are readily available for affected communities. The comprehensive response strategy encompasses stockpiling emergency supplies such as food, water, and medical resources, and positioning personnel and assets, including Geminis and helicopters, for swift search and rescue operations.

Warships are also being loaded with relief materials to assist in the impending response efforts. Continuously monitoring the cyclone’s progression, the Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of residents and providing necessary support in the wake of Cyclone Fengal.

As Cyclone Fengal gains strength in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Navy has activated a thorough disaster response plan in preparation for its anticipated impact on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. This proactive strategy emphasizes a collaborative approach, with the Eastern Naval Command working closely alongside the Headquarters Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area to address the looming threat.

The response plan prioritizes Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Naval authorities are in constant communication with state and civil administrations, ensuring that the necessary protocols are in place for a rapid response to any emergencies that may arise due to the cyclone.

In preparation, the Indian Navy is mobilizing resources and logistics. Teams are currently loading vehicles with critical relief materials that include food supplies, potable water, and medical necessities. Specialized Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are strategically positioned in areas at greater risk of flooding. Additionally, diving teams from HQTN&P have been placed on high alert to respond swiftly to any emergency rescue operations if the situation demands such intervention.

The forecast for Cyclone Fengal suggests significant intensification within the next 48 hours, raising concerns about the potential for heavy rains, strong winds, and extensive flooding in Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions. Authorities have advised residents, particularly those in low-lying areas, to stay vigilant and heed safety advisories issued by local officials.

The Indian Navy’s proactive measures adhere to the guidelines set forth by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which focus on evacuation protocols, shelter availability, and the distribution of emergency supplies. Key initiatives being implemented by the Navy include stockpiling essential items such as food, water, Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), and medical supplies aimed at supporting communities that may be affected by the cyclone.

Moreover, naval personnel, equipped with Geminis and helicopters, are prepared for search and rescue operations to respond effectively to any incidents requiring immediate assistance. Warships have been loaded with essential HADR relief materials to ensure swift deployment should the need arise.

Continuously monitoring the situation, the Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of individuals in affected areas and stands ready to offer support during what could be a challenging period as Cyclone Fengal approaches landfall. These comprehensive efforts exemplify the Navy’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property amidst the impending adverse weather conditions.

A high-level delegation from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), led by Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil, is currently in Russia to finalize a deal for the license manufacturing of 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines. These engines are crucial for the Su-30MKI fighter jets that are actively operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The visit to Russia, which began on Monday, follows a significant contract signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and HAL on September 9 this year, amounting to over ₹26,000 crore for the procurement of these aero engines.

The Su-30MKI jets are set for extensive upgrades aimed at enhancing their operational lifespan and boosting their combat capabilities. This initiative is included in a larger budget of approximately ₹63,000 crore, which was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the modernization of the fleet. HAL is expected to replace the existing engines used in these Sukhoi aircraft, which have a limitation of 2,000 flying hours before requiring replacement. Each Su-30MKI is designed to have a total operational life of 6,000 hours, necessitating three sets of engines throughout its service period, as clarified by sources at HAL.

In addition to the engine manufacturing, HAL will enter into agreements with Russian entities to secure the required components, given that the drawings and raw materials involved are classified as intellectual property. The licensing agreement is likely to pose challenges, particularly with critical engine parts that Russia is expected to withhold from local production. HAL may also need to procure various assemblies, sub-assemblies, and numerous alloys, alongside 200-300 bar components that constitute the complete engine kit for the Sukhoi jets. Sources indicate that the intricate engineering involved adds to the complexity of the manufacturing process.

The ongoing global conflicts have significantly disrupted the supply chain for the raw materials essential for engine production, a concern that will also be addressed during the Indian delegation’s discussions with their Russian counterparts. The engines will be produced at HAL’s Koraput Division, playing a vital role in maintaining the IAF’s operational capabilities for its fleet of Su-30 fighters, of which there are 260 in service. Considering the lifespan of the engines, replacements will be made in accordance with their usage.

Recently, HAL achieved a milestone by delivering the first AL-31FP Aero Engine manufactured under the new contract to the IAF. This initial engine may have been manufactured using kits HAL previously sourced from Russia for repair and maintenance functions. According to the contract’s delivery schedule, HAL is obliged to supply 30 aero engines annually, with the complete delivery of all 240 engines anticipated to take place over the next eight years. By the end of this delivery period, HAL aims to increase its indigenization content to 63 percent in the engine manufacturing process, enhancing the domestic capability in defense manufacturing.

In a shocking incident from Faridabad, a retired Air Force sergeant was duped out of Rs 5 lakh by a group of fraudsters impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The victim, identified as Aditya Kumar Jha, 55, found himself entangled in a sophisticated scam that involved being placed under a so-called “digital arrest” for an alarming 55 hours.

Jha, who currently works as a clerk at Punjab National Bank, received a video call from an unknown number shortly after returning from election duty in Haryana on October 6. At the time of the call, his family was visiting the Jhandewalan temple in Delhi, leaving him alone to handle the unexpected communication. The individual on the other end of the line, claiming to be a TRAI official, informed Jha that his mobile number faced imminent deactivation. The caller alleged that someone had fraudulently acquired a SIM card using Jha’s Aadhaar details in Delhi and was sending gambling-related messages from that number.

Adding to the confusion, a second caller, who introduced himself as Vijay Kumar, identified as a Deputy Commissioner of Police from the CBI, stated that arrest warrants had been issued against Jha. This shocking news intensified Jha’s anxiety, especially when the caller warned him that a money laundering case involving an amount of Rs 6.68 crore had been filed against him, implicating him alongside notorious figures like Nawab Malik.

In an alarming turn of events, the caller instructed Jha to rush to the CBI office in Delhi within two hours. When Jha hesitated, the callers escalated their threats, asserting that he was under “digital arrest” and cautioning him that his family would face consequences if he hung up the call. In the world of cyber fraud, “digital arrest” refers to a tactic in which scammers impersonate law enforcement officials through audio or video calls, often employing intimidation to coerce victims into making financial transactions.

Following their menacing instructions, Jha was demanded to provide his bank account details and was told to make a monetary transaction as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering. When a transaction attempt failed, the fraudsters directed Jha to visit his home branch in Madhubani, Bihar, to complete the transfer. Without disconnecting the call for fear of repercussions, Jha traveled by train to Bihar and ultimately transferred Rs 5.03 lakh to the account specified by the scams.

This incident highlights the growing prevalence of cyber scams, especially those that manipulate victims’ fears and vulnerabilities. Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to be vigilant against such deceitful practices and to verify the identity of any official making suspicious claims.